Karnataka police have arrested Vinit Nayak, a right-wing social media influencer known by his X handle 'Bhiku Mhatre', for allegedly posting derogatory content against the Congress manifesto and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The arrest, which took place in Goa, followed an FIR filed by the Karnataka cyber cell, accusing Nayak of promoting enmity through edited videos of the Chief Minister. Nayak is also accused of peddling fake news intended to create hatred between communities. BJP leaders, including MPs and union ministers, have condemned the arrest, calling it a 'blatant abuse of power' by the Karnataka Congress government. The BJP has assured legal support for Nayak, while protests from BJP supporters continue.
#Karnataka police on Saturday arrested popular right-wing social media influencer Vinit Nayak, known by his X handle ‘Bhiku Mhatre’, for allegedly writing a post on social media against CM #Siddaramaiah. https://t.co/dnK1eTbsKw
Karnataka Police arrested X user 'Bhiku Mhatre' from Goa for allegedly posting a 'derogatory post on Congress manifesto'; BJP has assured 'legal support'. Congress wants to intimidate me for speaking the truth. Never wrote anything communal or inflammatory: @MumbaichaDon (Bhiku… https://t.co/Vn5eGcoChC
Bengaluru police arrest right wing influencer for allegedly peddling fake news intended to create hatred between communities. @BJP4India leaders from union ministers to MPs & supporters protest action against alleged fake news peddler. https://t.co/depTJUIjTi
#Karnataka cops arrest man for posts against Congress manifesto, BJP hits out https://t.co/VTOhwcnETE
Social media platform X 'influencer' @MumbaichaDon arrested. - Arrest after FIR by Karnataka cyber cell. - Influencer accused of promoting enmity. - FIR alleges 'Edited video of K'Taka CM'. Imran (@KeypadGuerilla) & @AnkitPrasad share more details with @anchoramitaw https://t.co/wrJ2Jxwmru
BJP MP #TejasviSurya called the arrest a “blatant abuse of power” by the #Karnataka Congress government. https://t.co/UFSt1lTafO